Piers Morgan defends himself against accusations he is a 'bully not a journalist'

Piers Morgan has defended himself after he was accused of behaving as a “bully” and “not as a journalist”.

The Good Morning Britain (GMB) presenter attracted criticism yet again for his domineering interview technique after his treatment of safeguarding minister Victoria Atkins on the ITV show.

Conservative MP Simon Hoare tweeted: “I’m afraid @piersmorgan is not acting as a journalist. As a barrack room lawyer? Yes. As a saloon bar bore? Yes. As a bully? Yes. As a show off? Undoubtedly. He is not a seeker after truth: he’s a male chicken.”

Actually, all I am doing - with @susannareid100 - is exposing how disgracefully poor so many of your Govt ministers are at answering even basic questions during this crisis. It’s shameful. 👇 https://t.co/0qcQL1ml3U

Morgan, 55, hit back: “Actually, all I am doing – with @susannareid100 – is exposing how disgracefully poor so many of your Govt ministers are at answering even basic questions during this crisis. It’s shameful.”

The former tabloid editor questioned Atkins on the breakfast show about accusations the government had failed to act upon the results of Exercise Cygnus – the 2016 NHS simulation of the impact of a flu epidemic which warned of a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Atkins failed to provide answers to Morgan’s repeated questioning and was also accused by him of laughing during the interview.

This minister’s performance in this interview was a total disgrace. How can they be so woefully, shamefully ill-informed?? 👇 https://t.co/GgjmVZJlgp

"In Ofcom's view, in line with freedom of expression, it is clearly in the public interest that broadcasters are able to hold those making political decisions to account, particularly during a major national crisis, such as the coronavirus pandemic."

Dear Piers,We’re usually happy with you keeping us busy😉. But right now we’re struggling to keep up after you asked your followers to contact us. This means we may fail to help the people that need us most – such as the vulnerable or elderly. (1/2)